I Can Assimilate Everything

She had begun unconsciously feeding on the Fables around her, growing stronger with each story she absorbed. If left unchecked, she would have eventually discovered the Nar'Thyss themselves and begun consuming their carefully crafted narratives from within!

The Nexus Deviation Point had been detected when she first manifested this ability, and she had been eliminated before taking her third breath with her new power.

And now, after years of relative quiet, they…the leaders of the Nar'Thyss, the grand Constellation class of terrifying power and might, had all felt another Nexus Deviation Point ripple through the fabric of narrative reality.

After the first one spoke, they looked at each other with expressions that managed to convey concern despite their alien features.

Another raised their voice, this one a butterfly-like creature whose body was covered by a haze of stellar purple that suggested stories still being written.

"The only thing that matters is to track down this deviation point before it begins to bud and bloom," she said, her words creating small narratives that lived and died in the span of her sentence.

"We have all sensed that something has occurred, but... do any of us have a clue exactly which Star Sea it is located in?"

…!

The question highlighted a persistent problem with their detection system.

Even after a Nexus Deviation Point arose, it was actually difficult to pinpoint its exact location.

The ripples it created in narrative space spread in patterns that defied conventional tracking. It had been found that those reigning within the originating Star Sea could sense it most easily, their proximity to the deviation giving them clearer perception.

Yet at this moment, none spoke up to claim knowledge of the deviation's origin.

In the growing silence, many of the Nar'Thyss Constellations frowned…an expression that caused small probability storms in the space around them.

Their multifaceted gazes turned toward one particular direction, where floated one of the most powerful beings among them.

Another constellation raised their voice, this one speaking with waves that suggested multiple voices converging on a single question.

"O Paradox of Endless Cravings," they intoned with respect that was part genuine and part politically necessary, "you were always the most perceptive among us. When we could not track down the origin of previous Nexus Deviation Points, you were able to help us derive their location. Have you already sensed where this one might be?"

The being addressed by such elaborate title was magnificent even by Nar'Thyss standards!

Their form was essentially humanoid, but that humanity had been elevated to something that made othetd seem pedestrian.

Most striking were the wings that extended from their back…not the purple or gold common to their kind, but brilliant platinum that seemed to glow with inner light.

The color platinum was unique among their lineage, denoting not just power but purity of purpose, a connection to the fundamental nature of narrative that transcended even their species' natural affinity.

The Paradox of Endless Cravings appeared to consider the question deeply, their expression cycling through contemplation in ways that suggested they were examining multiple timelines simultaneously.

Finally, they shook their head with apparent regret.

"As of right now, I sense nothing definitive," they said, their voice carrying the weight of authority that came from being consistently correct.

"As this Nexus Deviation Point begins to grow, I will be able to sense it more clearly. We can still stifle and eliminate it before it becomes significant trouble for any of us."

The reassurance settled over the gathering like a blanket of comfortable certainty.

The other Constellations nodded, their trust in the Paradox's abilities allowing them to relax their vigilance slightly.

With this immediate concern addressed, they began discussing other matters…territorial disputes in various Star Seas, the optimization of Fable harvesting techniques, the debate over whether tragedy or comedy generated more narrative authority in thr current millenia…

But the Paradox of Endless Cravings watched each of their faces with an expression that, had anyone been paying close attention, might have been recognized as a hidden, sly smile.

Before his eyes…visible only to him, a prompt materialized in platinum text that matched his wings:

|You have gained 1,000,000 Units of Existential Authority of Fables for the choice you have just made, which may alter the course of one or more major leading Constellations of the Nar'Thyss.|

HUUM!

Internally, where none could observe, the Paradox of Endless Cravings laughed with the kind of joy that came from finally finding something interesting after eons of boredom.

'The Fables over the past thousands of years have been so predictable,' he thought, his consciousness rippling with amusement that he carefully kept from manifesting externally.

'The same patterns, the same rises and falls, the same tedious victories. I hunger for something new, something that surprises even me…'

His inner monologue continued as he participated in the surface conversation with practiced ease.

'A little disruption to how comfortable the Nar'Thyss have become won't be too much of a problem, would it? We've grown fat on easy narratives, lazy in our weavings. And even if this deviation does become a problem...'

The smile that existed only in his thoughts grew wider.

'Would it not make for a grand Fable?'

…!

He had sensed exactly where the deviation was…Star Sea Alpha-9, the one the Sagittarius Constellations had been hoarding.

He did not know exactly who it was in thst Star Sea, but he at least knew where.

But he would say nothing. Not yet.

Because the Paradox of Endless Cravings had not survived eons by being predictable.

He had risen to power by understanding a fundamental truth: the best stories were the ones where even the narrator could be surprised by the ending!

And this deviation, this beautiful anomaly…may just promise to be the most interesting story he had encountered in millennia.

The gathering continued, the Constellations discussing their various concerns with the casual certainty of beings who believed themselves above consequences!

None noticed the quiet satisfaction in the Paradox's expression, the subtle anticipation of someone who had just made a bet against the house and knew something the house didn't.

In the Domain of Endless Dreams, where reality was negotiable and narrative was law, the greatest Paradox of all was about to unfold because of…a choice!

The choice would reshape everything.

But for now, the Paradox of Endless Cravings simply smiled and waited, content to let this particular Fable write itself!